BEDFORD, N.H. (CBS) — The mother of Emmanuel Vomolakis “Manny” said she believes her son is a hero after his plane crashed Friday night on the Merrimack River in New Hampshire. done
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the 20-year-old from Linden, Michigan, experienced engine failure on Swearingen SA226 on approach to Manchester Airport. Vomolakis’ plane caught fire after crashing into the Merrimack River in Bedford. He died of a stroke.
The plane took off from the Essex County Airport in Fairfield, New Jersey. Police said the plane, operated by Castle Air, was carrying medical supplies from Canton, Ohio.
Manas Vomolakis. (family photo)
Vomolakis’ mother, Cindy Frohrip, said she believed her son was running into the river to escape the danger of others.
“The hero also died, managed to hit a large residential area and crashed alongside it,” he posted on Facebook. “Manny was a wonderful young man and I will miss him inexplicably. There was no greater joy in my life than being with his mother.
“Every moment of my life,” Frohriep told WBZ-TV’s Passion Monday aviation Vomvolakis. Vomvolakis mentored aspiring pilots. His mother had long discussions with experienced pilots on all aspects of aviation.
“We have no doubt that he deliberately avoided enforcing the residential zone, even if it hurt his chances of finishing the bridge,” Frohrip said, “My only child was unbearable and The pain is unbearable.”
The Vomvolakis family has erected a memorial in his name to the Manny Matthews High School Memorial Fund. Each year the family plans a Future Passenger program to encourage a student who wants to pursue a career in aviation.
Vomolaks’ funeral will be held Friday in Michigan.
The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to issue a preliminary report on the crash within weeks, but a full investigation could take one to two years.